Jailhouse Blog

We went to see our friends JJ and LB at the prison a few weekends ago. It was an adventure as always. We arrived a little later than we had hoped. Since getting the count right has been a persistent problem for the better part of this year, I was hoping we'd get there well before midday, but we just skated in around 11:30 or so. Of course the usual delays... since our son isn't a toddler anymore, they needed a new updated photo of him. Then there were the other usual issues. (my husband wasn't in the system.) For some strange reason, JJ always has issues with regard to our visitations. Either the brass insist that we have the wrong visiting day, or they can't find my husband on his roster, and this time they couldn't even find him in the system period! So when I was certain that My husband, Frank, was not going to get himself ejected by going into some sort of condescending tirade with the natives.... I left him to deal with his issue while Harley and I trekked on through search and the long walk to DR dorm trying our best to beat the count. And we did! I can't say as much for Frank. It took him about 45 minutes to get things straight, and the count did get messed up. ugh! But, we were all happy that no tirades were launched & everyone was where they should be. Everyone except JJ that is.

JJ finally made it out, but not before Frank almost got himself ejected yet AGAIN! You see, one of "the rules" is that you are not supposed to converse with any other inmate except the one you are there to see. ( Frank is on JJ's list, and I am on LBs list.) While Frank was waiting for JJ, he saw a few other friends milling about, so of course he saunters over giving them big hugs and chatting away as though he was at a baseball game. Frank is not a quiet man, so I'm sure the BMIC probably thought that he was not only breaking the rules, but being flagrant about it... hurling it in his authoritative face.... so he spoke with Frank, explaining the rule in a very civilized manner and asking him to keep to his table. Ok, so Frank then sits down (he is at the very next table to me Harley and LB) and he begins to ask LB who he likes in the Superbowl and they are talking about the season and the strategies of different teams and what teams deserved what, and etc... so BMIC can't believe the nerve of Frank! After he had just spoken to him and EXPLAINED the rule. (I am rolling my eyes by this point) So, now BMIC takes Frank for a little walk and they talk about the three strike principle and that now Frank is on his 2nd strike, "you get me?" Ok, so now Frank decides the only way to keep his yapper from yapping is to get a deck of cards and play some solitaire. That seemed to work. Whew!

I wanted to place a video here.... I have technical difficulties so all I could manage if you want to check out Elvis, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Qo1eaWF8c

Finally, JJ made it out and everyone was behaving like ladies and gentlemen. LB, Harley and I were busily playing dominoes. Building structures and snake like creatures and knocking them down. This is particularly fun when you are three! Then we lunched on our traditional Big Ass Chicken sandwich and LB had his usual sausage/egg croissant and we all shared the beloved honey mustard pretzel chips. Ahh a feast for all. Harley shared with me. (When they say Big Ass... they are not kidding.) So after lunch, Harley switched tables to sit with dad and JJ.

JJ and Harley have a special relationship. They draw pictures for each other (JJ is an amazing artist) and they like to play dominoes. Frank is no gamer slouch. In fact, he is one of the best gamers I know, but he actually was sitting out, letting ole JJ and Harley battle it out in a rousing game of high card. (Apparently, Frank was not getting any high cards and was getting bored!) So, the game is whoever gets the high card wins the pot (of dominoes). So that kept them all quite entertained. That and ice cream... and popcorn!

While they were male bonding, LB and I were busy catching up on more grown up topics. Not the least of which, blogging. If you did not read my first blog post, it was about LB and our New Years visit. I mentioned that there was a whole lot that I cannot blog about with regard to him for security reasons. I did however, pitch to him the idea of starting his own blog.... and much to my surprise he went for it! I'm really excited about this! I'm happy to be able to help give his voice an avenue for expression and happy that he has decided to take this opportunity. The name of the Blog will be "Life in Xanadu". Since he has no computer access, we have to do everything via snail mail. So while he is most interested in receiving and responding to comments, it will likely take a few weeks to get those responses... So please be patient.

I don't know what direction his blog with take, but I'm sure it will be fascinating.
Hope everyone drops by.
PF

New Years in prison and the food was real good.

Have you ever heard the John Prine song, Christmas in Prison"? It's a fabulous song, although not a very happy one. One of my best friends resides in a prison. (Death row no less. Now there's a happy name) Anyway, he says that JP must have done time to be able to write about the inside so well. I always suspected as much, but never having done time myself, there was no real way for me to make that kind of determination. But I'm getting off track. The point I'm making is that despite the name death row, and despite the razor wire, electric fences, and just the general intimidation level of the place, I always have a hell of a great time because I get to hang out with my friend, and that is a blessing for us both.

This new years day I spent with my dear friend, who we shall refer to as LC in the visiting park of the Hotel California. His cell is on the second floor, so we like to call it the Penthouse. That way, we can delightfully have one foot in denial about his real residence. Besides, it sounds nicer. Anyway, the penthouse is only 6x9 I believe. He and the rest of the gang on his wing get to go outside twice a week to exercise, but that's it. The rest of the time it's 6X9. That would drive me totally insane! But not LC. He is one of the most sane people I know.... and kind to boot. You may be thinking, "Uh, why is he on the row if he's such a great guy?" Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to discuss that, so you'll just have to trust me.

Spending any time at all in a prison-- visiting or otherwise, is not something I ever thought I would do, much less write about, or blog about. So...New Years day in the visiting "park" on death row~ Uh, that would not EVEN compute, until a few (ok, 7) short years ago. But now it's as normal as having Christmas day with family. In fact, it is exactly that, only it's new years, not Christmas (this year).

Semi-healthy food is now available in the park, so we're doubly blessed. I mean having an excuse to eat junk food all day was great and everything, but let's face it, these guys eat nasty unhealthy food all week long.. The only shot at having something half way nutritious, tasty and (hot food hot, and cold food cold) is to go to the park on visiting day. It also helps for me not to have acid reflux for days afterward, as I don't eat much fried or junk food normally. So, there we were, happily grazing on salad and using pretzels for croutons, sipping V-8s and OJs, and nibbling popcorn and solving the world's problems as friends will do.

We had a wonderful New Years day filled with great conversation, catch up time, some healthy foods and some junk (great popcorn which I'm sure has about a million trans fat grams per kernel, but what the hell) and lots of laughs. Even the guards seemed a little cheerier, despite the fact that they were working on new years instead of watching football. And as an added bonus, we were able to say happy new year and briefly chat with a few other old friends who were having visits too. (Technically, you're not supposed to talk to other inmates or guests of other inmates, but there's no rule about wishing people a happy new year and maybe a short conversation at the concession line or waiting for a microwave). It's akin to those meetings at the water cooler at work...

I am so happy and grateful to have been able to visit LC as planned. (Demands of life don't always permit) But there's nothing much like sharing some time, some laughs and dreams for the coming year with a friend. Hope you all had a sweet a new years day too, and a great 364 to follow.
Peace & blessing,
PF